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U.S. Soldier’s Children Identified Among Victims of New Mexico Flash Flood
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U.S. Soldier’s Children Identified Among Victims of New Mexico Flash Flood

by Abdul Nazir Ridwan July 10, 2025
written by Abdul Nazir Ridwan

This week a family vacation in Ruidoso, New Mexico, turned into something no one could have imagined, with flash floods killing two young siblings.

The boy and girl, Sebastian Trotter, 7, and his little sister Charlotte, 4, were named as the son and daughter of a U.S. Army soldier stationed at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas.

The relatives were staying in an RV park around the Rio Ruidoso when a flash flood, which was caused by heavy monsoonal rainfalls, swept past early on Tuesday, July 8.

Local reports and family members have said that the floodwaters swept away the children when they were moving fast.

The parents, Sebastian and Stephanie Trotter, also got involved in the disaster and are recuperating in a Texas hospital after sustaining severe injuries.

A Tragic loss

The identities were confirmed by the children aunt Tiffanie Wyatt in a press release and on social media.

She had not forgotten the siblings only with love, but with detail that depicted the picture of two bright, blissful lives taken too soon to end.

We want everybody to know that the children were so lively and they were always laughing, Wyatt said to ABC News.

The older of the two was Sebastian, who was passionate about soccer and hockey cards, who had a dream of becoming a professional athlete someday.

Charlotte was a young girl only four years of age, full of life; she loved to sing, dance, tell jokes, and do makeovers and make fun of the family members using her toy makeup.

Wyatt said, Charlotte loved to be the center of interest. The family had a performer in her.

The local community was shaken, as well as the entire military family at Fort Bliss, where Sebastian Trotter is based.

U.S. Soldier’s Children Identified Among Victims of New Mexico Flash Flood

For us, it was a tragic loss and our hearts are heavy with grief, said Brig. Gen. Rory Crooks, deputy commanding general of the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss.

We at the entire Fort Bliss community send our condolences to the family and loved ones of this unfortunate event.

What was the Flash Flood Caused By?

Heavy rainfall on burn scar regions—the land that was burnt by the South Fork and Salt wildfires last year—flooded the region.

These are the most susceptible areas because the burned ground does not easily absorb water and hence heavy rain flows down the slopes in an uncontrollable manner.

The village of Ruidoso reported Rio Ruidoso river reached an all time high of 20 feet topping its previous record of 15 feet by five feet. In minutes, homes, vehicles, and entire RVs were carried away.

During the event, emergency responders conducted more than 50 rapid-water rescues and saved numerous lives, albeit not every life.

Besides the Trotter children two other victims were reported dead. The man was between 40s and 50s and his identity has not yet been announced.

Two of the other victims are the family favorite dogs: Ellie, a 4-year-old German Shepherd and Zeus, a 9-year-old husky.

Investigation and Community Mourning in Progress

U.S. Soldier’s Children Identified Among Victims of New Mexico Flash Flood

The flash floods have ravaged the tiny mountain town of Ruidoso which is famous as a scenic beauty and tranquil camping grounds.

To counter this threat, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared an emergency and is seeking federal help to facilitate community recovery.

In coordination with the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, the Lincoln County Sheriff, and other state and federal agencies, local officials are assessing the damage and conducting the investigation of the situation, which resulted in the flooding.

A Family That Needs Healing

The physical recovery will take time but is in progress as the parents are still in a Texas hospital; however, the emotional damage will be much more difficult to overcome.

The family of Trotter, like most military families, is not completely unfamiliar with sacrifice, but this was a sacrifice they could never have anticipated.

Friends and fellow military families will most likely launch a fundraising campaign to assist the Trotters through rebuilding and recovery.

This is something unimaginable that this family is going through, said a neighbour at Fort Bliss who requested not to be identified.

Everybody is praying that Sebastian and Stephanie made it and that somewhere, they can get the strength to carry on.

The events in the life of Sebastian and Charlotte Trotter are a reminder of how vulnerable life can be, how nature can be so unpredictable, and that there is nothing more powerful than a community.

Their laughs, dreams, and innocence will never be forgotten.

The sorrow that lingers when the waters of the Rio Ruidoso start to shrink is intense; however, the love that came as a result is even more intense.

July 10, 2025 0 comments
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K-Pop Star Taeil Sentenced to Over 3 Years in Prison After Rape Conviction
Entertainment

K-Pop Star Taeil Sentenced to Over 3 Years in Prison After Rape Conviction

by Abdul Nazir Ridwan July 10, 2025
written by Abdul Nazir Ridwan

Moon Taeil, 31, ex-member of the popular K-popband NCT 127 was handed a sentence of 3 years and 6 months in jail on Thursday, July 10, where he pleaded guilty to being involved in the group rape of an intoxicated tourist.

The judgement was passed by the Seoul Central District Court, only a month after Taeil pleaded guilty to the two counts of special quasi-rape, which is considered one of the severe crimes in South Korea when several perpetrators have sex with an individual who cannot give consent because of unconsciousness or drunkenness.

The internationally popular NCT franchise of SM Entertainment brought Taeil to stardom and was convicted together with two unknown people. The three were charged with beating a Chinese tourist who had been in South Korea in 2024.

What Happened?

Court documents released to international media by BBC, The Korea Herald, and The New York Times state that Taeil and the others found the woman in a bar in Itaewon, a famous entertainment area in Seoul.

She was then reportedly taken to one of their houses where she was raped whilst intoxicated in a drunken stupor after a few rounds of drinks.

Judge Lee Hyun-kyung said when sentencing the defendants, explaining that they had had turns to engage in sexual acts with the victim, who was in a serious state of intoxication and could not fight back. The crime is especially serious in its nature.

The court also gave attention to the psychological trauma that the victim might have endured adding that the latter was a foreigner in a strange land without family or support.

The judge added that it was a case of a foreign tourist who was attacked in a strange setting and, therefore, the victim must have suffered seriously psychologically.

K-Pop Star Taeil Sentenced to Over 3 Years in Prison After Rape Conviction

Lighter Punishment in Despite of Severe Charges

In spite of the fact that the prosecutors initially sought a seven-year sentence, the court cut it in half, considering that this was a first offence by Taeil and other accused people.

Along with the prison sentence, all the three men were given the task of completing 40 hours of the s3xual violence treatment program.

According to South Korean media, Taeil was contrite when going through the process but has yet to publicly apologise to the victim. His lawyers have yet to respond to the question of whether he will appeal his sentence.

Reppercussions of the Scandal

In August 2024, a few months after the allegations were revealed, Taeil was kicked out of NCT. This was answered by SM Entertainment with a statement at the time stating that the group and the label takes the matter seriously with Taeil being removed in any activities of the group.

The label said it had had a talk with Taeil and it was agreed that he would depart the group. We were aware of the fact that the issue was serious.

Since the announcement, Taeil set his social media accounts to be private and he has since been kept out of the spotlight.

Neither the First K-Pop Star to be Convicted of Sexual Crimes

Taeil beliefs resonate with other previous major K-pop scandals regarding sex crimes. In 2021, former Big Bang member Seungri was handed a three-year sentence after being convicted of brokering prostitution and providing illegal gambling.

In a previous instance, singers Jung Joon-young and Choi Jong-hoon received a six-year and five-year sentence respectively due to raping unconscious women and uploading illegal videos on the internet.

Such cases have rocked the K-pop industry, which is normally promoted around the world as a squeaky-clean and highly polished entertainment.

Fans, including a huge number of young people who are extremely interested in the personal lives of their stars, have been shocked and dismayed by the succession of severe crimes.

Who is Moon Taeil?

Moon Taeil is a member of the group NCT, which is also called Neo Culture Technology, and he is a vocalist in NCT 127.

Regarded as a strong singer with a shy nature, he took part in numerous hits and albums of the group, being one of the first.

K-Pop Star Taeil Sentenced to Over 3 Years in Prison After Rape Conviction

NCT was one of the biggest exports of K-pop, and soon gained a huge international audience in Asia, the U.S., and Europe.

Taeil had also been involved in performances, fan meetings, and album promotions before the allegations appeared. The fact that he left the group and was later convicted has permanently broken his connection with the industry.

What’s Next?

As Taeil continues to serve his sentence, people are now interested in his co-defendants, as well, who were handed down an identical sentence.

The case has likewise rekindled the discussion in South Korea on consent, alcohol, and responsibility, particularly in the nightlife areas such as Itaewon where foreign visitors tend to mix with domestic ones.

On the part of the victim, not much is brought to the fore regarding her status and the intention of taking further legal proceedings. South Korean laws on privacy are stringent when it comes to sexual violence.

Although the sentence was lighter than one anticipated, the judge pointed out that the heinousness of the crime cannot be played down.

Judge Lee ended up concluding that, these acts resulted in a scar that would always be on the victim and such an attitude is unacceptable; this is irrespective of status or being a celebrity.

July 10, 2025 0 comments
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Woman Loses Dad and Brother, Then Gives Birth to Twin Sons Named in Their Honor
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Woman Loses Dad and Brother, Then Gives Birth to Twin Sons Named in Their Honor

by Abdul Nazir Ridwan July 9, 2025
written by Abdul Nazir Ridwan

Within three short years, Nikki Cee lost not one but two of her loved ones in a tragic manner, shaking her family to its foundations: first, her younger brother died due to unexpected heart failure, and then, her father passed away.

However, soon when shadows of grief were getting too awful, life managed to surprise her with two miracles.

Today, Nikki has a set of twins, two boys who are identical, and who were born through IVF, a story she calls, beauty out of the ashes.

Strict Connections and Tragic Deaths

Born into a tight knit family of five in suburban Maryland, Nikki remembers her childhood as a blissful experience of love, laughter, and family values.

Her father, Leon, was an armed forces veteran, and had toured Iraq during the early 2000s. However, he came back a different person as many veterans do- battling with PTSD and physical health issues that disrupted family dynamics.

READ ALSO: Ceasefire Talks and State Dinner: Trump Hosts Netanyahu at White House

Through all that suffering, the family held together until, on Memorial Day in 2021, tragedy struck again, with the younger brother of Nikki, Brian, passing away suddenly at the age of 28.

Nikki describes him as young, full of life, and the kind of person everybody was drawn to,. His death created a massive vacuum in our hearts.

The agony continued in May 2024 when her father passed away peacefully in his sleep on the occasion of Mother’s Day, a year before Nikki was to deliver.

Nikki shares that “his dad struggled with the military physically and emotionally. He was my pillar. To be a grandfather was his most valuable desire.”

Before that dream could be fulfilled, he died.

The IVF Adventure That Made a Difference

At that time, Nikki was undergoing IVF procedures when her father died. One embryo survived after an unsuccessful transfer before. It was the last opportunity, and her father words still resonated in her mind.

On his death he said to me, Next time he was to be the champ. I clung to that.”

Nikki performed another embryo transfer on May 31, 2024; the anniversary of Brian death. June 10 was the day that her family had buried Brian three years ago, but on the same day, the pregnancy test was positive.

She says it was like burying one life and discovering that another life was coming. It was some kind of divine time, as though they were there with me, in a sense.

Better still, her single embryo produced twin boys who were identical in nature which was a slap that left us both jumping and crying.

A Surprise BabyQ and Paying Homage to her Angels

In a touching tribute to her deceased father, Nikki had her family come over because they believed it was a barbecue in honor of his birthday, a tradition of his that he dearly loved.

It was, however, a BabyQ surprise birth announcement.

They did not know. Nikki fondly remembers how exciting it was to see the happiness on their faces: their twins are pregnant.

The two boys she gave birth to were named after Hendrix and Jaxson as a way of honoring her brother and father with their names.

She laughs, shopping is much like Jaxson reminds her of Brian, he is playful, stylish, a little wild. And Hendrix is cool, composed and has the same expressions as my dad. It is as though they are back in the house.”

Woman Loses Dad and Brother, Then Gives Birth to Twin Sons Named in Their Honor

A Healing Full Circle Moment

Being pregnant was not an easy experience, both emotionally and physically, on the part of Nikki. Yet she did not give up and clung to the belief that her path had a greater goal.

The birth of her boys was a moment of a full circle, one that did not only heal her but her whole family.

“We did not replace my dad or my brother; that is not possible. Yet we know somehow, through these boys, we again have their presence with us.”

READ ALSO: U.S. Deports Conv!cted Men to W@r-Torn South Sudan

Being a professional photographer, Nikki celebrated the moment with a heartbreaking family photo: she, her mom, and her surviving brother holding twins.

Her late father and brother appear in a digitally edited version to make up the rest of the family.

“We all just wept. It was as though they had returned for a moment. It brought us peace.”

Making Our Way Back to Beauty

Motherhood has been both a blessing and an eye opener to Nikki. It made her realize that grief and love can co-exist, and this is why even in the most darkest periods of human life, life can still have some blossoms.

She says, there is beauty in the ashes. The death of my dad and brother was too painful. But Hendrix and Jaxson they made us live once more. And that is a favor that I will never cease being thankful to.”

July 9, 2025 0 comments
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"Hearts Breaking Daily": 161 Still Missing After Texas Flooding Dis@ster
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“Hearts Breaking Daily”: 161 Still Missing After Texas Flooding Dis@ster

by Abdul Nazir Ridwan July 9, 2025
written by Abdul Nazir Ridwan

With expanding desperation, the rescue mission to locate missing over 160 individuals after devastating flash floods along the Guadalupe River in Texas goes on, even as emergency officials report that no survivor was discovered since the first day the disaster was reported.

The devastating floods, that hit on the dawn of July 4, have so far left 110 people dead, many of them children.

Authorities also state that 27 of the victims were young campers and camp leaders at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls camp that has been popular with Texas families over many generations.

In Kerr County, which has been the most affected, whole neighborhoods have been completely unrecognizable.

It took a few minutes to carry away homes, vehicles, and campsites, leaving destroyed buildings and sad families.

Gov. Greg Abbott was quoted by the reporters on Tuesday, saying that the disaster was one of the darkest days of Texas history, and that 161 people were still missing there in Kerr County alone.

He said that the suddenness of the flood did not give people an opportunity to run away.

Abbott told reporters, “The heart of our fellow Texans are breaking with every single day because of what people in this community and the surrounding area are going through.”

No Live Saves Since Day One

The search and rescue effort was initiated instantly after the floods hit, and helicopters, boats, and even volunteer teams searched the swollen riverbanks and the debris.

"Hearts Breaking Daily": 161 Still Missing After Texas Flooding Dis@ster

READ ALSO: Trump Threatens to ‘Take a Look’ at Deporting Elon Musk Over EV Clash

However, on Wednesday, Jonathan Lamb of the Kerrville Police Department gave some grim tidings:

“We have not had a live rescue since the morning of the flood. That was Friday. It has been picking up corpses since then.”

Hope is dwindling though rescue workers are doing their best. Most of those that went missing are believed to have been carried off by rushing waters at the dawn of the flood when majority were asleep in their cabins, tents or homes.

These are some of the people who are yet to be found: five campers and one counselor of Camp Mystic. The parents and families are sitting around, praying to God and hoping that it would all turn out to be just a dream.

Camp Mystic: A Devastating Loss

Camp Mystic is one of the spiritual and cultural institutions in the state of Texas that have existed almost a century.

Located on the Guadalupe River, its long been a summer camp where young girls go to experience nature, faith and friendship. However, within one eye-blink, a summer of memories became a nightmare.

According to survivors, the situation was horrifying: water flooding cabins before the first light of the day, campers being swept away by the current, and counselors trying to their best to rescue children.

One of the mothers burst into tears, saying, “They never had a chance. In the wooden cabins by the river they slept. It was so sudden; there was no time to know beforehand.”

To commemorate the victims, family members have also started to leave handwritten messages, teddy bears, and camp T-shirts on the fence along the entry point of the camp.

New Mexico Was Also Struck

It is a traumatic time in Texas, with other parts of the country, New Mexico specifically, suffering deep flash floods too. In Ruidoso, three individuals including two young children, died when torrential rains overwhelmed the Rio Ruidoso Tuesday, according to authorities.

The strong rains led to mudslides, road closures, and outages in the areas of southern New Mexico. Evacuation centres are established where the displaced families can shelter, and the National Guard is helping in the relief efforts.

Authorities note in that this year’s drastic weather is all part of a wider trend of climate that has led to more sudden and devastating floods along the southern portion of the U.S.

Countrywide Assistance and Surveillance

As rescuers keep moving around to save the lives, the show of compassion in Texas and the whole country has been staggering.

Red Cross shelters are overwhelmed, neighbors are allowing strangers into their homes, and volunteers are joining by the hundreds to remove debris and aid search efforts.

"Hearts Breaking Daily": 161 Still Missing After Texas Flooding Dis@ster

President Joe Biden has promised complete federal help in Washington.

In a statement, he said, We share the grief of the people of Texas in this moment of unfathomable loss. “We will do all we can to help rescue, recovery, and rebuilding.”

Authorities are urging people to be careful because rivers and streams in the affected regions are still hazardous.

READ ALSO: Pennsylvania Man to Stand Tr!@l for Behe@ding Father and Posting Video Online

Thunderstorms are still sweeping the area with the National Weather Service also issuing flash flood watches in a number of surrounding counties.

Broken-heart, Yet Strength

In the meantime, the Kerr County community is doing what people in Texas love to do most, sticking together.

There are candlelight vigils taking place statewide. Food and donations, as well as prayers, have become centers in local churches and schools.

Pastor Miguel Robles of Kerrville First Baptist Church said, It has been days of darkness, but we are not alone. We are in grief but not without hope.

Searching for those who are missing is going on twenty-four hours a day, although families are awaiting the worst.

July 9, 2025 0 comments
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Diddy Scores Partial Win as Judge Narrows Civil Assault Lawsuit
Entertainment

Diddy Scores Partial Win as Judge Narrows Civil Ass@ult Lawsuit

by Abdul Nazir Ridwan July 9, 2025
written by Abdul Nazir Ridwan

A New York judge has reduced a civil action filed against embattled music mogul Sean Diddy Combs by a woman who accused him of several cases of sexual assault in the late 1990s and early 2000s in a small yet significant legal victory.

On July 8, New York State Supreme Court Justice Leslie Stroh allowed only one of the four claims brought by accuser April Lampros to proceed, one under the New York City Gender-Motivated Violence Act.

The other claims comprising those linked to prior events before the act was enacted in December 2000 were dismissed by the judge.

The move is a week after Combs, 55, was found guilty by a federal jury on two charges of prostitution, but avoided more serious counts such as racketeering and sex trafficking. He is in federal custody, awaiting sentencing on October 3.

Charges and Jurisprudence

In May 2024, Lampros sued Combs on the basis of numerous sexual assaults over the period of 1995-2001.

The woman who attended the former fashion institute of technology accused the Grammy-award-winning producer of raping her in 1995, raping her again in 1996, forcing her to perform a sex act with his then-girlfriend Kim Porter in 1998 (Porter died in 2018), and also raping her once in late 2000 or in early 2001.

The legal team of Combs responded strongly to the suit by declaring it as without any foundation and by referencing the time interval between the supposed events and the initiation of the complaint.

In August 2024, lawyers of Combs requested the dismissal of the case as a whole on the ground that a large part of the claims brought by Lampros was stale and not detailed enough.

The judge eventually consented to limiting the lawsuit by excluding any allegations involving actions that allegedly preceded the Gender-Motivated Violence Act.

Diddy Scores Partial Win as Judge Narrows Civil Ass@ult Lawsuit

READ ALSO: Agradaa Secretly Filmed Entering Nsawam Prison After 15-Year Sentence

The ruling was followed by a statement issued by Combs attorneys:

We are happy that the court granted our motion to dismiss to a great extent. Mr. Combs has never got an opportunity to challenge the assumption of such claims, and this decision does not legitimize them at all.”

The Thing Lampros Does as a Response: Full Steam Ahead

Lampros legal team is not yielding even after the ruling. Her lawyer, Tyrone Blackburn, verified that the only claim left – the one that is being used to support the suit now – is the one that comes under the Gender-Motivated Violence Act. He stated that Combs would be deposed within two months and discovery demands at once.

We are off to the races, the playtime is over, said Blackburn in a remarks.

Lampros earlier dismissed three counts of her complaint involving battery, sexual assault, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. She also disqualified Bad Boy Records and Sony Music Arista Records as defendants who she claimed had abetted the same abuse by Combs when she was employed by the said companies at the time.

Federal Trial Fallout Trial Under Way

The civil suit is also proceeding against the backdrop of the federal criminal case against Combs, which ended July 2 with a divided verdict.

He pleaded guilty of two accounts of transporting individuals across state lines to have prostitution after being found guilty of two cases that involved the young women transported between the year 2012 and 2016.

The racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, however, led to acquittals- a partial reprieve to the hip-hop icon who has long been beset by the rumors of abuse, manipulation, and coercion backstage of his music empire.

However, the partial victory did not save him a place in jail. Immediately after the ruling, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian rejected the bail request of Combs, citing a history of domestic violence and describing the artist as a threat to society.

Prosecutors indicated that Combs might receive a 20-year prison sentence on the prostitution-related convictions but most likely sentencing guidelines indicate that Combs will receive a 51 to 63 months sentence.

His attorneys are arguing to limit his sentence to two years or less because he has done what he can to find personal redemption, like the batterer intervention programs he participated in before his arrest in September 2024.

The Reception and Legacy under Threat

As the legal wrangles continue, the legacy of Combs is still being torn apart. Formerly known as a visionary in the hip-hop and fashion industries, Diddy currently has over 70 civil lawsuits on his hands, all of which revolve around sexual misconduct.

The cases appear in a wave, reminiscent of the reckoning that has befallen other entertainment figures of repute over the past few years.

Diddy Scores Partial Win as Judge Narrows Civil Ass@ult Lawsuit

Activists have demanded there to be more accountability in the music industry and more safeguarding of the women who work in the music industry.

READ ALSO: Bob Vylan Speaks Out After Gaza Chant Backlash at Glastonbury: “We’re Being Targeted”

People point out that it has taken decades before these allegations were brought before the court, showing how fear, power, and silence have been used to shield the alleged abusers.

With the October 3 sentencing fast approaching and civil cases proceeding, Sean Combs is still in jail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

We do not know whether this recent court decision will be a legal turning point in the saga of the embattled mogul or just a cessation preceding a long series of accusations.

July 9, 2025 0 comments
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Tr@gedy in Texas: Over 100 De@d in July Fourth Weekend Floods
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Tr@gedy in Texas: Over 100 De@d in July Fourth Weekend Floods

by Abdul Nazir Ridwan July 8, 2025
written by Abdul Nazir Ridwan

On the weekend of July Fourth, a tragedy hit the heart of Texas where random and devastating flooding claimed the lives of over 100 people.

The tranquil vacation in the Hill Country turned out to be a disaster, a tragedy, a riddle with no answer.

At least 104 people, 28 of whom were children, were confirmed dead on Monday night with dozens more missing.

Search-and-rescue teams have been on duty day and night recovering survivors out of rivers, clearing trees that obstruct the way of water, and thoroughly searching through debris-strewn areas where the summer once had brought so much gladness.

One of the worst affected locations was the Camp Mystic, a century old all girls Christian camp in the Guadalupe River where 27 campers and counselors died. Authorities reported that 10 campers and one counselor are still missing.

This is one of the worst natural disasters in recent memory, said Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice. Families are washed out.”

A River Gone Deadly

The floods came in the pre-dawn hours on Friday after an extraordinary downpour that was described by some as a wall of water. The Guadalupe River overcame its banks and early in the day most people were still asleep when cabins, homes, and tents were flooded.

Tent campers were pulled out of their beds. There went cars, tree trunks, and bits of furniture, as the current increased.

Survivors reported that they were experiencing a nightmare.

Elizabeth Lester, a mother whose two children were at summer camps in the area, said: My son was forced to swim out of his cabin window in order to survive. She is a daughter who has ran uphill with the waters trailing on her heels. It was as though the river had talked, she said.”

Tr@gedy in Texas: Over 100 De@d in July Fourth Weekend Floods

The banks of the river are now littered with twisted metal, canoes, mattresses and even family portraits all as a reminder of what was lost and the happy memories that once permeated the camps.

Overall, there were 19 deaths across adjoining counties, which include Travis, Kendall, Burnet, Williamson, and Tom Green.

Why No Warning was Taken?

Whereas the National Weather Service started issuing flood warnings on Thursday night and flash flood emergencies early Friday, the questions have arisen, Why did not some camps evacuate? Were the warnings late to read or just not heard?

Cellphone reception in some areas of the Hill Country was so poor that it is possible it did not help in the distribution of emergency alerts. Other camps were said to receive no flooding warnings.

We do want to jump in and take a look at all of that stuff, Rice said. However; before we can do anything we have to concentrate on completing the search and rescue.

Not all camps were slow. One of them moved hundreds of campers to an elevated location a few hours before the water struck. But Camp Mystic was not one of them.

A Grieving and Acting Community

Texas emergency crews were joined in a rare cross-border collaboration by firefighters in Ciudad Acuuna, Mexico, who helped in the grueling rescue effort.

More than 1,000 volunteers have been sent in the areas of the disaster. Texas Governor Greg Abbott acknowledged that dozens remain unaccounted and others might be missing as evaluations are done.

President Trump is also scheduled to visit the flood zone on Friday after signing a major disaster declaration in Kerr County. He emphasized that, no one could predict that this was coming, despite the earlier weather predictions.

In the meantime, Senator Ted Cruz urged people to unite: There is a time of politics, and there is a time of compassion. At the moment, we should concentrate on saving lives.”

Tr@gedy in Texas: Over 100 De@d in July Fourth Weekend Floods

The Courage and Survival Stories

With all the devastation, tales of remarkable valor have been heard.

Reagan Brown told that his older parents had to leave the flooded house in Hunt but turned around and rescued their 92-year-old neighbor, who was stuck on the attic. They and others took refuge in a tool shed on an elevation, and there withstood the flood.

It is every day heroes who said Brown. They were not too cautious. they simply did it.”

More Rain is Coming.

The central Texas environment is already saturated, and as more rain is expected, it is in danger. Warnings of more flooding have been made and the residents were advised not to go near riverbanks, bridges and low lying places.

The Kerrville city officials have also begged residents to stay off flying drones in search areas because one had crashed against a rescue helicopter which had to make an emergency landing.

What’s Next?

Texas will embark on a painful recovery process as water gradually recedes. Investigations will be initiated, questions will be asked, and changes will be made but at this moment, the priority is to find the missing and assist the families of the lost people.

One local firefighter said, there are no words to describe what we have seen. We simply continue, one by one.

July 8, 2025 0 comments
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Marissa DiNapoli
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Ex-Boyfriend Charged After M!ssing Teen Marissa DiNapoli Found De@d in California

by Abdul Nazir Ridwan July 8, 2025
written by Abdul Nazir Ridwan

The community of Morgan Hill is also in mourning state after the death of Marissa DiNapoli, 18-year-old, whose body was found near Lake Anderson, on July 2, only days after authorities have announced her missing. Martin Mendoza, her former lover, is now arrested, and he is accused in her murder.

The last time DiNapoli spoke with her family was the evening of June 28 when she sent a text that she intended to stay with a friend. This was the last message anyone ever heard of her, and it was at 9.16 p.m.

The next day her family did not hear of her and reported her missing, prompting an emergency search by police and family and friends.

A Body Located, and the Greatest Fear of a Family Realized

On July 2, Morgan Hill Police Division confirmed that a body had been discovered in the secluded location around Lake Anderson, a recreational area in Santa Clara County. The following day, the police identified it as Marissa DiNapoli.

This revelation broke the hopes of the family, friends and members of the community who had entertained hope that Marissa would come home unharmed.

The Morgan Hill Police Department wrote in a statement that Marissa was a young woman with a bright future and had been a radiant, compassionate person.

Marissa DiNapoli

The Border Arrest

Later in the investigation, Martin Mendoza, the 20-year-old ex-boyfriend of DiNapoli, emerged as a person of interest. A video recording demonstrated how DiNapoli walked out of a home with Mendoza on June 29 at 9:45 a.m., and only a dozen hours later she had been texting her family.

It is believed that the last person to talk to her alive could be Mendoza.

Mendoza was detained when he tried to reenter the United States at the California Mexico border on Sunday, July 6, by authorities. He was arrested without any issues and has been charged with murder.

According to Morgan Hill police, Mendoza was arrested after a long period of investigation, and in collaboration with federal border officers.

The department said that though the arrest of Mendoza might bring relief, it does not lessen the heartbreak that we all still experience.

The Loss of a Family, a Community in Grief

The DiNapoli family issued a statement thanking people for their support but requesting their privacy as they mourn their unthinkable loss.

The family said, “We are heartbroken over the killing of our precious Marissa, and at this moment, we would like to request our family and friends to respect our privacy as we mourn and go through this stressful process.”

They also said that to celebrate the memory of Marissa, they do not want people to donate or create GoFundMe pages. Instead, they have requested individuals to support them with prayers, sweet words, and memories of the talented, young lady they loved.

A Teacher Remembers Marissa

Among the people who feel the loss of Marissa is Tara Guerrero, who taught Marissa in her school, Opportunity Youth Academy. Guerrero was already assisting in the search of Marissa when her body was discovered.

Marissa DiNapoli

Guerrero told NBC Bay Area that every student in her class is special to her, but especially this student. She had a very bright smile that would illuminate any room. She was friendly and friends with all.”

Choking up, Guerrero said, referring to Fernandez, “She was just one of those kids that you never forget and I have a broken heart right now.”

The Next Steps of the Investigation

As the nation is mourning, now comes the legal work. Mendoza is still under custody and may be arraigned in the next few days.

The police have not yet provided any reasons or additional information concerning the nature of the demise of Marissa, but they have assured that their investigation is still running.

The police are still collecting evidence and are asking the people with any information related to the case to come forward.

Meanwhile, the DiNapoli family struggles with the devastating consequence of the death of a young woman who all that knew her said was warm, loving and full of life.

One of the family friends said “she was not a victim. She was a daughter, a student, a friend. And she was loved.”

July 8, 2025 0 comments
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Agradaa Secretly Filmed Entering Nsawam Prison After 15-Year Sentence
Entertainment

Agradaa Secretly Filmed Entering Nsawam Prison After 15-Year Sentence

by Abdul Nazir Ridwan July 7, 2025
written by Abdul Nazir Ridwan

A Ghanaian TikToker has posted a viral video of the scene in which Evangelist Patricia Asiedu, commonly referred to as Nana Agradaa, was taken into Nsawam Prison to start her 15-year sentence.

On July 3, 2025, the scandalous founder of Heaven Way Church was found guilty of charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretense due to her publicized “money-doubling” swindles.

Footage Secretly Goes Viral

In a video shared by TikToker @tetteyfiorobert, Agradaa is shown being led into the prison compound with her bearing that of a dejected person.

The video, which is recorded secretly at a distance, has evoked feelings and discussions on the web.

The Reaction of the Public: Divided Feelings

Even those who earlier criticized her said they were shocked and saddened by the news of her death. Others quoted it as too severe whereas others considered the victims of her faithless plots to have enjoyed justice.

Daavi Promax735❤️ONG: I do not like her much, but I am really sorry about her 😔.
Mzz Jlo: Look how she is staring at you nu😂😂😂if she gets out, run!
Abynaa❤️ennis romantic love loves romantic love Pinamang🌹: We will miss you, never before. You will never be forgotten!”

READ ALSO: Bob Vylan Speaks Out After Gaza Chant Backlash at Glastonbury: “We’re Being Targeted”

Other viewers wondered what she was holding in her hands that was folded up, as it might have been personal items or the end of her retirement in the limelight.

@tetteyfiorobert

Agradaa have been jailed for 15 years in prison

♬ original sound – tetteyfiorobert

Agradaa Files an Appeal against Her Conviction

Nana Agradaa in a related development has formally lodged an appeal at the Amasaman High Court on the basis that her 15-year sentence is extreme and bias. Her lawyers argue that the trial was not fair, and there were procedural inconsistencies.

The case has elicited controversy as some have wondered whether Agradaa has a realistic chance of having the ruling overturned.

The rise and fall of a Televangelist: Background

The story of Agradaa is connected with years of scandals. A one-time spiritualist who transformed herself into a so-called Christian prophetess, she became notorious on televised programs in which she usually claimed to make people financially miraculous in exchange of offerings.

In 2025, she was convicted on several fraud charges, following accusations by many church members that she had not honored numerous promises of multiplying money given during services.

What Next?

As Agradaa and her case await judgment at the Supreme Court, Agradaa is in Nsawam Maximum Security Prison awaiting her sentence to be served under hard labour.

READ ALSO: Hallmark’s 2025 Christmas in July: How to Watch Every New Movie, Series & Special

Her husband, Angel Asiamah, on the other hand, is keeping her governance and is still preaching in her absence in the name of spiritual mission citing her imprisonment as part of the mission.

He informed congregants on Sunday that Agradaa is sentenced as part of the mission.

July 7, 2025 0 comments
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Ceasefire Talks and State Dinner Trump Hosts Netanyahu at White House
News

Ceasefire Talks and State Dinner: Trump Hosts Netanyahu at White House

by Abdul Nazir Ridwan July 7, 2025
written by Abdul Nazir Ridwan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to the White House on Monday on a state visit with President Donald Trump, where both leaders were set to use the high-stakes dinner to discuss global security issues ranging to the Israel-Hamas conflict, to the Iran nuclear ambitions, and overall stability in the Middle East.

It is the third visit Netanyahu has made to Washington since Trump returned to power earlier this year, and it is in an exceedingly dramatic context: a clock-ticking deadline on tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, an escalating confrontation with Tehran, and the opportunity of a breakthrough ceasefire deal with Hamas.

That gathering also signifies a new orientation of the U.S. and Israel under Trump, which Netanyahu has gladly adopted publicly.

Netanyahu said on his flight to Washington late Sunday, we have never had such a friend in the White House. Our combined action heralded a tremendous triumph over our common scourge – Iran.

Ceasefire in the Table

The focal point of the visit as per the office of the Israeli Prime Minister will involve negotiations that may bring about a cease fire between Hamas in Gaza and the Israeli Government.

Trump has been keen to strike a deal and he has been seen to play the role of a dealmaker once more at the international scene.

A White House official told ABC News, we are optimistic. The desire to end the violence and provide room to conduct long-term negotiations is without doubt what President Trump would like to see happen.

Although no deal is yet signed, the administration of Trump has been cajoling two major regional actors, Egypt and Qatar, which have influence on Hamas, to seek compromise. The U.S. is also said to be willing to lead rebuilding in Gaza as a condition of any truce.

Rubio, Witkoff visit blair house to meet Netanyahu

Before the evening meal, Netanyahu convened with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff at Blair House the customary site of meetings with visiting heads of state.

According to reports, the three leaders also talked about more than the ceasefire, discussing a range of issues, including; Iranian influence in the country of Syria, most recent U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iranian installations in the region, and the overall cooperation in intelligence issues.

Ceasefire Talks and State Dinner: Trump Hosts Netanyahu at White House

Although negotiations were conducted behind closed doors, it has been said that Netanyahu would lobby to have the U.S continue to take part in maintaining security in the region.

Rubio later said to journalists, Israel security is American security. We are shoulder to shoulder with our allies.”

Message in Dinner

The White House state dinner on Monday evening was a political display of solidarity as well as a celebration.

Through the pictures taken, Trump was seen shaking hands with Netanyahu and smiling with cabinet members and senior aides and a few congressional supporters.

However, behind the pomp there were still serious issues. Netanyahu would likely be critical of Iranian nuclear program, particularly following threats by the Tehran to restart uranium enrichment to pre-levels since the initial nuclear agreement in 2015.

There are reports that Trump has been considering sanctions and military options in case diplomacy fails to bear fruits.

Witkoff said that, Iran is a direct threat to the region not only to Israel but peace in the region. And we will ensure that that threat is dealt with — one way or another.

Trade Tensions Smolder in the Background

Although Monday was dominated by foreign policy, the Trump administration had been in overdrive as it continued to deal with its upcoming tariff deadline, which would be on Wednesday, July 9. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent A number of nations would be receiving official trade notices today, he confirmed.

Bessent was on CNBC on the program Squawk Box and said, “It is going to be a busy couple of days.” The President is also not concentrated on the amount of deals but the quality of deals.”

Trump has hinted that countries that do not seal trade agreements by the deadline may have to pay increased tariffs as early as August 1 — those countries that are deemed to be in line with anti-American policies or the BRICS group.

Despite the fact that trade was not the main topic of Netanyahu visit, what was observed is the fact that Israel is not affected by the tariff threats because there is an agreement that exists between the two countries and the close defense ties.

Policy Push and Congressional Meetings

Netanyahu has committed to visit Washington in secret meetings with several American legislators, including the House and Senate GOP leaders. His agenda: strengthen bipartisan support of Israel, increases in defense funding, continuing U.S. assurance in the United Nations.

Ceasefire Talks and State Dinner: Trump Hosts Netanyahu at White House

Pro-Israel lobbying organizations are meanwhile taking advantage of the visit to lobby new legislation isolating Iran further and increased U.S.-Israel collaboration in the domains of cyber security, missile defense, and artificial intelligence.

Common Objectives, Common People

This is not only a policy visit but a personality visit. Both Trump and Netanyahu have always admired each other and they have both adopted a hawkish stance about national security. They are both known to have hit the headlines with their outspoken rhetoric, intricate legal backgrounds and staunch domestic political coalitions.

The new alliance is a clear message, the Trump-Netanyahu axis has returned and is full steam ahead in areas such as trade and terrorism.

This is not merely a diplomatic issue, as Netanyahu explained. It is about two countries that know what it means to defend themselves to survive and to succeed.

What is the Next Step?

As the ceasefire agreement remains in negotiation and Iran is flexing its muscles, the next few days will shape the Trump foreign policy storyline in this second term.

Analysts also opine that by playing a role brokering peace in Gaza, Trump will enhance his stature on the global scene, more so as other hotspots such as in Ukraine and the Pacific keep simmering.

It is Washington, however, whose focus is all the rage at the moment: where a fancy dinner is but a veil to the naked truth of geopolitics, and where two of the most divisive figures in recent memory are laying the international agenda once more, this time in concert.

July 7, 2025 0 comments
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U.S. Deports Conv!cted Men to W@r-Torn South Sudan
News

U.S. Deports Conv!cted Men to W@r-Torn South Sudan

by Abdul Nazir Ridwan July 7, 2025
written by Abdul Nazir Ridwan

A relatively unpopular but somewhat controversial move which has received the attention of the international community as well as praise among hardline advocates of immigration, the United States has deported eight men to the war-torn country of South Sudan, none of them South Sudanese, after a complicated case of legal wrangling not only encompassing various federal courts but also ending with a dramatic decision in the United States Supreme Court.

The eight men, who hail out of Cuba, Mexico, Laos, Myanmar, Sudan, and Vietnam have been found gu!lty of serious crimes in the U.S, such as murder, sexual assault, and crimes where children are involved.

Once they had served their sentences, the U.S. government had them removed, however, they were not taken back to their home country but sent to South Sudan, a country where they have no registered connection with.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published photos that revealed the men in chains at the hands and feet, sitting on a government plane and being escorted by U.S. authorities on the last stretch of its path.

It is said to have arrived in South Sudan a few minutes before midnight Eastern Time on a Friday, and this is being claimed by many observers as a legal and political milestone of the U.S. immigration and foreign policy.

Judicial Anarchy and a Panic Flight

The deportation follows weeks of court battles that left the men marooned in a U.S. military base in Djibouti, in particular Camp Lemonnier, where the detainees were known to conduct strategic military operations and, most recently, harbor controversial immigration prisoners.

U.S. officials characterized the camp as harsh, and there was worry about malaria, rocket attacks, and triple-digit temperatures.

Rights groups claimed that the men were being held in a “inhumane and dangerous” environment with no access to proper legal counsel and with no contact with the outside world.

U.S. Deports Conv!cted Men to W@r-Torn South Sudan

Prior judicial decisions had prevented the deportations on constitutional grounds, citing that the action of sending non-citizens to third party countries where they formed no personal or cultural affinity with, and faced an unknown risk of, was punitive and deprived the individuals of due process.

However, on Thursday the Trump administration got a favorable ruling by the U.S Supreme Court, overturning a previous ban that would have forced the U.S government to give notices to detainees and provide them with an opportunity to receive a fair hearing before being deported to a third country.

The ruling paved the way to the deportations by DHS within hours.

READ ALSO: Mother Wins Right to Sue TikTok, Meta After Teen Son Dies Subway Surfing

A Doubtful Resort

The most contentious aspect of the case might be the destination of the men, which was South Sudan.

The U.S. State Department has issued multiple warnings advising Americans not to travel to South Sudan at all due to the armed conflict in the country, political instability and violence both in the country and towards the citizens of the United States.

In fact, human rights organizations claim that the deportation of citizens, particularly convicted criminals, to a weak, conflict zone-affected country would constitute not only cruel but also unusual punishment.

Trina Realmuto, a lawyer at the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, referred to the deportations as unconstitutional and retaliatory, saying the men had served their time and should not be exiled to a place unsafe, as she put it.

The U.S. government is well aware how perilous South Sudan is, she added. Why are we sending these men when we would not send our own people there?

U.S. Officials Now Claim Victory

Even with the backlash, officials in the administration of the time put the deportations in the context of national security as a win.

Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary at DHS said, this Independence Day is another triumph over the security and safety of the American people.

A district judge cannot impose the United States national security and its foreign policy.

The Trump administration has been championing the decision to increase the length of deportation, especially of violent offenders who are not Americans.

Over the last few years, the U.S has been pressuring foreign governments, whether they have bad records on human rights or not, to take in deportees, who are not their citizens. The South Sudan deportations are the latest precedent on the same.

So what do you do?

We do not know what will happen to the men in South Sudan. Lawyers in the U.S. government have reported that the South Sudanese authorities promised the deportees social status of temporary immigration, yet it could not be established whether the men would be arrested, jailed, or given freedom.

South Sudan has not yet made a public declaration on the arrival of the deportees and human rights observers who have no access to determine safety or conditions of the men after their arrival.

In the U.S., the legal struggle seems to be done at least temporarily.

On Friday, a brief stay of the deportations was imposed by Judge Randolph Moss in Washington, D.C. with concerns raised that there was a potential of harm.

But he soon dismissed the case had to be sent back to Judge Brian Murphy in Massachusetts, who had originally attempted to stop the deportations.

Murphy then, with ill grace, gave them permission to do so, on the ground that he was bound by the decision of the Supreme Court.

U.S. Deports Conv!cted Men to W@r-Torn South Sudan

It is not what I think is right or moral, Murphy allegedly told. It is about what the supreme court of the land has decreed.

On his part, Judge Moss said that the result was highly troubling to him as even those that were found guilty of committing horrible crimes should not be subjected to unwarranted pain, suffering, or torture after their sentence.

A Perilous Precedent?

The consequences of such deportations are still questionable in the long term. Civil rights activists worry this will establish a terrible precedent, and that the U.S. can now deport anyone to just about any country willing to accept them, even without an established legal or familial relationship.

READ ALSO: Mother Wins Right to Sue TikTok, Meta After Teen Son Dies Subway Surfing

Opponents fear that the practices have the potential to erode international asylum conventions, human rights guarantees, and the fundamentals of due process all in the interest of political image and policy implementation.

At this moment, eight men are in an unfamiliar land that was never home, in one of the most unstable regions of the world with no idea of what is in store next.

July 7, 2025 0 comments
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